Someone emailed me links to two other boards' threads about the "evils of fish oil" -- or how dogs ended up with E deficiencies (because oil supplements can deplete the body's stores of vitamin E).

As the regulars here know, this is better turned around to say "give natural E* with oil supplements."

It's always stressed here that E is given with fish oil (or any oil supplements) because the oil supplements can deplete the body's E, otherwise.






*
not dl-alpha

Connie, is that because the dl-alpha E is synthetic and not utilized as well by dogs?

Well, the main thrust is "give Vitamin E with oil supplements."


Then under that umbrella is "and make it natural E (d-alpha)."

Not just dogs .... nothing I've read supports giving or taking synthetic E (dl-alpha) for any reason except the moderate cash savings. However, most Vitamin E sold is synthetic.

Research in mammals (like swine) repeatedly shows that resulting blood tocopherol concentrations are consistently higher when d-alpha-tocopherol (natural) is given. That is, its bioavailabilty is much higher (looks like twice as high). It also appears to be used (once in the blood) more efficiently.



(The mixed tocopherols evidence may not be as cut-and-dried yet, but it's strongly suggestive. Beta, delta, and gamma (along with the alpha) may be necessary to get the most E benefit, and there has even been research that seems to indicate a small but significant up-tick in prostate cancer risk in men using straight alpha versus alpha-with-mixed; it may be that it replaces some of the dietary gamma tocopherols. So far, I haven't seen research specifically on dogs with regard to alpha-versus-mixed tocopherols, but maybe someone else has and will post it.)

Gotcha, thanks Connie. Next time I buy my vitamin E from Costco I'll be sure I pick up the all-natural stuff that is the d-alpha and not the dl-alpha. I looked at my bottle last night as I was feeding my boy and it was the dl-alpha tocopherol kind.

Costco does have at least one natural E with mixed tocopherols. I don't think there is a Kirkland one (I could be wrong), but there is at least one other brand.

Yeah, I think they have some kind of "Naturals" brand that has it from what I have read. The Kirkland brand is the one that I bought and have now, which is the one with just dl-alpha tocopherols.

Has anyone used this product?

http://www.seapet.com/omega3fishoil200wnaturalvitamine.aspx

Is there any fish oil product that includes the d-alpha that's recommended to pair with fish oil? Seems like it would make sense for companies to deliver them together if there's a concern over deficiency

 Quote: Bryan Simms

Is there any fish oil product that includes the d-alpha that's recommended to pair with fish oil? Seems like it would make sense for companies to deliver them together if there's a concern over deficiency

I didn't think there was one, but doesn't the product you posted include it?


I pretty much like the fish oil product I use, and don't mind adding the E I choose (natural, with mixed tocopherols) to the daily supper bowl.

BTW, I'm sure most folks know this, but just in case .... the E used in tiny amounts in fish oils to help protect the product is far less than the amounts we're talking about here.

The product posted above does contain E in restorative amounts. Most do not, and we need
to add E.